Of all
the ancient stories that surround Christmas, the tale about King Wenceslaus
(spelled Vatslav or Vyacheslav) stands out. Though the carol was composed by
noted songwriter and priest, John Mason Neale, the song is based on historical
fact.
King
Wenceslaus was a real member of European royalty, a ruler who daily touched his
subjects with Christian kindness and charity. For many in the Dark Ages, this
king was the role model for Christian leaders. Today, over a thousand years
after his death, King Wenceslaus remains a role model for Christian people
everywhere.
The son
of Duke Borivoy (Bratislav) of Bohemia, Saint Wenceslaus had the good fortune
to be raised by his grandmother, holy Martyr and Princess Ludmilla
(commemorated September 16). Ludmilla was a devoted Christian woman who raised
Prince Wenceslaus in deep piety, teaching her grandson the meaning of faith,
hope, and charity. Wenceslaus took his grandmother’s lessons to heart, and in
920, when Duke Borivoy (Bratislav) was killed in battle, the youngster seemed
ready to put what he had learned into action. At the age of eighteen, Saint
Wenceslaus, just a few minutes older than Boleslaus, was made the leader of
Bohemia.
In spite
of his youthful age, he ruled wisely and justly and concerned himself much
about the Christian enlightenment of the people. The holy prince was a widely
educated man, and he studied in the Latin and Greek languages. Saint Wenceslaus
was peace-loving. He built and embellished churches, and in Prague, the Czech
capital, he raised up a magnificent church in the name of Saint Vitus, and he
had respect for the clergy.
Envious
nobles decided to murder the saint and, at first, to incite his mother against
him, and later to urge his younger brother, Boleslav, to occupy the princely
throne. As the young duke attempted to guide the troubled nation, his mother,
Drahomira, and his brother, Boleslaus, instituted a pagan revolt. They
assassinated Ludmilla as she prayed, then attempted to overthrow Saint
Wenceslaus. The teen took charge, put down the rebellion, and in an act of
Christian kindness, expelled his mother and brother rather than executing them.
The tiny nation was amazed that the boy would react with such great mercy.
With the
wisdom of Solomon, the young duke set up a nation built on true justice and
mercy. He enacted laws in the manner he thought would best serve his Lord. As
king, he labored in the Faith like the great ascetics, and strengthened the
Christian Faith among his people. He was strict in ensuring that no innocent
person suffer in the courts. In his zeal for the Christian Faith and in his
love for his fellow man, Saint Wenceslaus purchased pagan children who were
being sold as slaves, and immediately baptized them and raised them as
Christians. He translated the Gospel of St. John into the Czech language, and
transported the relics of St. Vitus and St. Ludmilla to Prague.
He even
journeyed out into the country seeking insight as to what his people needed.
When possible, he shared everything from firewood to meat with his subjects. He
took pity on the poor and urged those blessed with wealth to reach out to the
less fortunate. In large part due to Saint Wenceslaus’s example, a host of
pagan peasants turned to Christianity. It was a revival unlike any had ever
seen in the country.
When
Saint Wenceslaus married and had a son, all of Bohemia celebrated. Peasants and
powerful landlords sought the man out, offering their prayers for long life and
happiness. With a smile on his face, the leader assured them that he was
praying for their happiness as well. In the years that followed, the duke and
his subjects continued to share both their prayers and their blessings with one
another each day. Rarely had a leader been as universally revered as was
Wenceslaus.
And Saint
Wenceslaus loved Christmas. Centuries before gift giving became a part of the
holiday tradition, the young leader embraced the joy of sharing his bounty with
others. Inspired by a sincere spirit of compassion, each Christmas Eve the duke
sought out the most needy of his subjects and visited them. With his pages at
his side, Saint Wenceslaus brought food, firewood, and clothing. After greeting
all in the household, the duke would continue to the next stop. Though often
faced with harsh weather conditions, Saint Wenceslaus never postponed his
rounds. Like a tenth century Saint Nicholas, the kindly young man made the
night before Christmas special for scores of families. For many, a Christmas
Eve visit from the duke was an answered prayer and a special reason to
celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Boleslav
invited his brother to the dedication of a church, and then asked him to stay
another day. In spite of the warnings of his servants, the holy prince Saint
Wenceslaus refused to believe in a conspiracy and exposed his life to the will
of God. On the following day, September 28, 935, when Saint Wenceslaus went to
Matins, he was wickedly murdered at the doors of the church by his own brother
and his brother’s servants. Falling to his knees on the church steps, the dying
ruler looked up and whispered, “Brother, may God forgive you.” Then he died.
His body was stabbed and discarded without burial.
The
mother, hearing of the murder of her son, found and placed his body in a
recently consecrated church at the princely court. They were not able to wash
off the blood splashed on the church doors, but after three days it disappeared
by itself.
Amazingly,
when the young man realized what he had done, the new duke turned away from his
colleagues and embraced the faith that had guided his brother’s life and rule.
Though he had planned the revolt that had killed his twin, it was Boleslaus who
sustained the memory of Saint Wenceslaus. After repenting of his sin, the
murderer transferred the relics of Saint Wenceslaus to Prague, where they were
placed in the church of St. Vitus, which the martyr himself had constructed
(the transfer of the relics of Saint Wenceslaus is celebrated on March 4). The
memory of Saint Wenceslaus has been honored from of old in the Orthodox Church.
Thanks to the man who killed his brother, the Crown of Saint Wenceslaus became
the symbol of the Czech nation. Saint Wenceslaus suffered in the year 935 and
his relics repose in Prague.
Source: www.prophet-elias.com
Source: www.prophet-elias.com
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